Krabi: Phi Phi Islands Full-Day Private Speedboat Charter

The best reason to choose this trip is simple: you get a private boat for up to 10 people, not a seat on a crowded island hopper. That gives your group room to adjust the pace, spend longer in the water, or move on when a stop feels too busy. The day links Phi Phi Le’s famous bays with a later swim at Bamboo Island, one of the prettiest places on this route.

I like the freedom to shape the timetable, and I like the small touches from the crew, including drinks, fresh fruit, and snacks. Guides such as Payu, Tangmo, Beauty, and Mimi have been praised for being warm, helpful, and attentive to families. The main drawback is the cost: $707 is a serious outlay, although it becomes much better value when shared by a full group of 10. You also pay the national park fee and lunch separately.

Key points before you book

• Private boat, shared cost: The $707 rate covers up to 10 people, so the price makes far more sense for a family or group of friends than for a couple.
• Maya Bay comes early: The route reaches the movie-famous beach around the start of the day, when timing matters most.
• Loh Samah Bay is the main snorkeling stop: Bring biodegradable sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and water shoes.
• Bamboo Island gets a generous 75 minutes: This is your best stretch of time for swimming, sand, and easy snorkeling.
• Monkey Beach is mainly a pass-by stop: You cruise near its white sand and monkey colony, but you do not plan on a full beach visit.
• Extra costs are clear: Budget 400 THB per adult or 200 THB per child for the national park, plus 280 THB per person if you choose the buffet lunch.

Why a private boat changes the Phi Phi day

Phi Phi is famous for dramatic cliffs, bright water, white sand, and famous movie scenery. It is also a popular place, and a fixed group tour can make every stop feel like a race against the clock. A private charter gives you more control, even though the main route and total length still depend on sea conditions and local operating plans.

You leave your hotel in Nong Thale, Krabi, or Ao Nang from about 8:00 AM. The operator contacts you at least one day before departure with the pickup time. Be in the lobby 15 minutes early and look for staff wearing Blue Sea Eagle Tour shirts.

The first transfer includes a brief five-minute stop at Railay Beach, followed by about 45 minutes by speedboat. That ride is part of the experience, but it can be bumpy. If you dislike fast boat travel, have back problems, or are prone to motion sickness, this is worth taking seriously before booking.

The private format works especially well for families. A group of 10 can spread the fixed price across everyone, and the crew can pay closer attention to children than on a large public boat. One family with four children found the crew especially caring, with drinks, snacks, fruit, and help for the little ones offered throughout the day.

Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay in the morning

Maya Bay is the headline stop. This is the beach made famous by the film The Beach, and the first major destination on the route. You get about 50 minutes for sightseeing and walking, giving you time to take in the cliffs and sand rather than simply snapping a picture from the boat.

The area has changed since earlier years. One recent group that had visited in 2017 found Maya Bay much improved and especially striking on an early morning departure. That detail matters: this schedule begins in the morning, but a private charter may sometimes arrange an earlier start, depending on availability and the operator’s confirmation.

From Maya Bay, you can walk across the island toward Loh Samah Bay. The two places feel different. Maya Bay is the famous beach, while Loh Samah has a small green island set in the Andaman Sea and a more enclosed, scenic feel. The route gives you both the postcard setting and a quieter-looking bay.

The activity information also highlights a 10-minute stop at Loh Samah Bay before the longer Maya Bay visit. Exact order and timing can shift, so treat the printed schedule as a guide rather than a promise. Weather, local rules, and crowd levels can all affect the sequence.

Maya Bay closes every year for about two months during the low season, usually August and September. If the bay is central to your plans, confirm its opening dates before you pay. The rest of the route may still operate, but the signature stop could be unavailable.

Snorkeling at Loh Samah and swimming near Phi Phi Le

The main underwater stop is Loh Samah Bay, scheduled for about 30 minutes of swimming and snorkeling. The boat supplies masks, snorkels, and life jackets, so you do not need to bring your own equipment. You should still pack a towel, swimwear, water shoes, and a rash guard or breathable top if you burn easily.

The water here is known for tropical fish with yellow and blue coloring. Conditions can vary, so the clarity and amount of marine life will depend on weather and sea conditions on your day. A morning snorkeling stop is useful because you can enjoy the water before the long afternoon at Bamboo Island.

The crew also makes a short cruise past Pileh Lagoon. You get about 15 minutes to take in the steep cliffs and enclosed water from the boat. This is more of a scenic boat stop than a long swimming session, so do not expect to spend the whole morning in the lagoon.

A 30-minute long-tail boat ride is also part of the schedule around Ko Phi Phi Le. The mix of speedboat and long-tail boat travel gives you different views of the islands and gets you closer to the shoreline. It also means a few changes of pace, which some people enjoy and others may find less direct.

Viking Cave and Monkey Beach are quick scenic stops

Viking Cave is a photo stop and pass-by visit lasting about 15 minutes. The cave is associated with bird nests, and the boat lets you see the site from the water. This is not a cave exploration on foot, so keep your camera ready and listen to the guide for context while the boat is nearby.

Monkey Beach is another scenic stop. The beach runs for about 150 meters along the southwestern side of Tonsai Bay, with white sand, green water, and thick growth on the cliffs behind it. Monkeys may be visible near the shore at low tide, when they come down to forage.

The important practical point is that you do not stop on Monkey Beach itself. The boat cruises past for about 15 minutes, giving you a look and a chance for photographs. That is safer and more predictable than a beach landing, but anyone hoping to walk among the monkeys should choose a different excursion.

After the Phi Phi Le stops, the boat reaches Ao Tonsai Pier for a short five-minute stop. You then have a 30-minute lunch break at Arida Restaurant 2. A buffet lunch is optional at 280 THB per person, so bring cash or confirm how payment works with the operator. The tour price does not include it.

There is also time for a short walk and sightseeing on Ko Phi Phi Don. The schedule allows about 15 minutes, so this is a brief taste of the inhabited island rather than a full town visit. If you want shopping, a long meal, or a relaxed look around Tonsai, this trip is not designed for that.

Bamboo Island gives you the best water time

The afternoon belongs to Bamboo Island, with about 75 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and free time. For many groups, this is the most relaxing part of the day. After the famous bays and quick photo stops, you can finally settle into the water without needing to leave after a few minutes.

Bamboo Island is uninhabited and covered with low, lush growth, while a strip of white sand wraps around much of the shore. The reef extends well out from the island, creating shallow water where you can look for fish with a mask and snorkel.

The supplied route describes the island as about 5 kilometers from the northern tip of Phi Phi Don. That distance helps explain why the stop feels more open and remote than the central Phi Phi beaches. It also explains why the speedboat is useful: you can fit several separated sites into one day.

Families may especially appreciate this stop. One group with children found Bamboo Island so appealing that the children did not want to leave the water. That does not guarantee calm seas or perfect visibility, but the longer time allowance gives you a better chance to enjoy the island at your own pace.

Bring cash, since the park fee applies to the islands in the program. The fee is 400 THB for adults and 200 THB for children from 3 to 10 years old. The operator also lists a 280 THB buffet lunch as an extra. These costs are modest beside the charter price, but they should be included in your total budget.

What the $707 price really buys you

The price is $707 per private group of up to 10 people. For 10 people, that works out to about $71 per person before the park fee and lunch. For six people, it is about $118 each. For two people, it becomes a costly private day.

That calculation is the key to deciding. You are paying for privacy, hotel transfers, a dedicated speedboat, a local English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and insurance. You are not simply paying for transport to Phi Phi. You are buying control over the day and avoiding a large shared group.

The charter can be good value if your group wants to stay together, has children, or prefers not to follow a rigid public-tour pace. It is less compelling if you are traveling alone or as a couple and mainly want the cheapest way to reach Maya Bay.

The crew’s personal service adds real value. Guides named Payu, Tangmo, Beauty, and Mimi have been singled out for kindness, good organization, and flexibility. The boat crew has also been praised for regularly offering drinks, snacks, and fresh fruit. Those details matter on a hot eight-hour day, especially when you are traveling with children.

The scheduled return leaves Ao Nang at about 2:40 PM, followed by roughly 30 minutes by speedboat and hotel drop-off in Ao Nang, Krabi, or Nong Thale. The full activity lasts about eight hours, but sea conditions can change the timing.

Practical details that affect your day

Wear light, breathable clothing and bring sunglasses, a sun hat, biodegradable sunscreen, a towel, water shoes, swimwear, and cash. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and drones are not permitted.

The boat is not wheelchair accessible. This trip is also not suitable for children under 3, pregnant women, people with heart problems, or people with back problems. Anyone with another serious medical condition should not book without first checking whether the activity is appropriate.

The speedboat can approach close to shore, which makes beach transfers easier. You should still expect boat movement, wet boarding areas, and several transitions between boat, beach, and water. Wear sandals or water shoes that you can secure well.

The trip runs in English and Thai. Your tour operator confirms pickup at least one day beforehand. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your weather forecast is still uncertain.

Bad weather or other unexpected events can change the route. That is especially important for a day built around snorkeling and small beaches. If conditions force a change, the guide and boat crew decide what is safe and workable.

Who should book this Phi Phi charter

I would choose this trip for a family group, two families traveling together, or a circle of friends that can fill most of the boat. The private setup, flexible pacing, and attentive crew are strongest when several people share the fixed price.

It also suits you if Maya Bay, snorkeling, Monkey Beach, and Bamboo Island all matter. The route gives you a broad Phi Phi sampler in one day, with time for both famous sights and water activities.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet, slow island day. Eight hours covers a lot of ground, and the schedule includes speedboat rides, a long-tail boat segment, quick photo stops, lunch, and several short transfers. It is active rather than leisurely.

I would also skip it if you cannot handle fast boats, need wheelchair access, are pregnant, have serious medical concerns, or are traveling with a child under 3. The separate national park and lunch charges also mean the advertised charter price is not your final total.

Should you book it?

Book this private Phi Phi day if you can share the $707 price with a group and want the freedom to shape a busy island route around your own interests. The strongest parts are the early Maya Bay visit, snorkeling at Loh Samah, the long Bamboo Island stop, and the personal care from guides and crew.

Think twice if you are a couple on a tight budget, want extensive time at each island, or dislike speedboats. Before booking, confirm Maya Bay’s seasonal closure dates, check the sea forecast, and add the park fee and lunch to your budget. For the right group, this is a flexible, family-friendly way to see the major Phi Phi sights without being tied to a large shared tour.

FAQ

How long is the Phi Phi Islands private charter?

The activity lasts 8 hours. Hotel pickup begins around 8:00 AM, and the return journey from Ao Nang is scheduled for about 2:40 PM.

How many people can join the private boat?

The $707 price covers a private group of up to 10 people.

Where can pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup and drop-off options include Ao Nang, Krabi, and Nong Thale. The operator contacts you at least one day before departure to confirm the pickup time.

Is lunch included?

No. A buffet lunch at Arida Restaurant 2 costs 280 THB per person.

How much is the national park fee?

The compulsory fee is 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child from 3 to 10 years old.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

Can children and pregnant women join?

Children under 3 years old, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with heart problems, and wheelchair users should not join this activity.